Afro Roots
Mongo Santamaria
Released:
May 1959
Label:
Fantasy Records
Cuban Mongo Santamaria was a mesmerizing conguero, bandleader and personality, whose gifts behind the drums were often augmented by a touch of traditional Cuban mysticism. This repackaging brings together his first pair of LPs as a bandleader -- originally released in '58 and '59 -- and reveals the kitschy exotica of the late '50s Latin music fad. The recording doesn't try to win over square audiences, and the credits feature a litany of Latin soul heavies. For a quick primer on the heady stuff, skip straight to "Chano Pozo" and try to wrap your head around what's happening on the congas.
Play Album
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3:55
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1:43
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2:11
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2:37
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3:27
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2:26
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3:31
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2:36
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2:10
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3:29
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2:02
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10:34
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2:59
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2:54
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2:57
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7:10
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4:02
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4:19
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3:15
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4:03
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4:42
1989 Fantasy, Inc.